National Hockey League (NHL) Players with most responsibility in Western Conference –Part 6
Continuing our list of top-level National Hockey League (NHL) players who are in the hot seat when it comes to leading their teams to greatness, we have two final names which are certainly kept as the best for last since they provide so much depth and are
irreplaceable for their teams.
Being a captain is not a necessity if a player wants to take the team for a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, because in the end it is not individual performance but rather a mix of well timed out contribution from all players, which is known as teamwork.
Ryan Kesler (Centre, Vancouver Canucks)
Having become a sensational player during the last season, Vancouver Canucks American All-Star player, Ryan Kesler, has definitely established his name in the record books as an outstanding, well-rounded performer.
His 73 point (41 goals, 32 assists) performance last season with a plus-minus rating of 24 is enough to prove that his third straight 82-game season with Vancouver is a sign that things are only going to get better from here on.
Playing a crucial role during Vancouver’s 2011 NHL playoffs Stanley Cup stretch, Kesler at one point had become a finalist for the Conn Smythe Trophy ( Awarded to the best performer during the playoff), when the Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel, failed to
perform.
It was during the last stages like his goalie Roberto Luongo that Kesler choked and fell way behind, leaving Vancouver in despair and confusion on who to look to for guidance.
Nevertheless, Kesler has a lot of potential but it is the process of unleashing that potential which is holding former 23rd overall draft pick from reaching his peak. Only 26-years-old, Kesler still has his pinnacle years ahead of him, which he
should begin to focus on achieving starting next season.
Joe Thornton (Captain, San Jose Sharks)
Not many teams are able to achieve what San Jose Sharks have achieved over the span of a few years, but at the same time, most teams would not want to be in the same situation, unless winning a Stanley Cup was part of the situation.
Having reached the Western Conference Finals for the second straight time last season, only to lose again, Sharks have set a different standard altogether when it comes to losing.
Joe Thornton, being the captain, must look and see what his team is lacking that is keeping them that one step behind from reaching their first ever Stanley Cup appearance and first ever championship as well.
(The views expressed by the writer are his own and do not reflect the editorial policy of www.bettor.com)
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